Warwick drive-by shooting 'not random attack'

Tara Miko
Reporter
Tara started with APN in 2010 after graduating with a journalism and politics degree from Griffith University in Brisbane. After two-and-a-half years working on APN papers in the Bowen Basin in Central Queensland, she joined the team at The Chronicle in February 2013. In September that year she took over the reins of the Rural Weekly.

A DRIVE-BY shooting on a quiet suburban street has put a Southern Downs community on high alert.

As police probe the shooting, high-ranking officers have moved to allay concerns of Warwick residents reeling from the revelations a Glibert Cr home was fired into five times while the occupants were inside.

Heavy speculation has shrouded the city as to the possible motive and identity of those behind Monday night's attack, but police have called for calm.

Darling Downs Detective Inspector Dave Isherwood would not comment on speculation Taskforce Maxima was investigating the attack, but said the drive-by shooting did not appear to be a random incident.

"It was a targeted attack and was not a random shooting," he said.

"Police do have concerns about this sort of criminal activity because what they have done is a serious criminal offence.

"The consequences of firing into a house can have severe repercussions if one of them had been hit by one of the projectiles.

"Hence why we're asking for people to come forward to stop this criminal activity."

The wider Warwick community has been on high alert since the targeted attack, with residents reporting similar incidents in other areas of the Rose City.

Just hours before two men wearing Rebel Motorcycle Club jackets were seen riding motorbikes in Warwick, a resident reported hearing what sounded like gunshots near Bisley St, south-west of the CBD.

"We heard five very clear shot fired nearby and my dog started barking," she said.

But Det. Insp. Isherwood said no report had been filed with police regarding any other shooting incident, and cautioned for calm in the community.

There have been no links between the Gilbert Cr home and nearby Scots College.

Det. Insp. Isherwood urged anyone in the area who saw or heard anything possibly connected to the shooting to come forward.

"We are trying to establish who may be responsible and we are asking for people to come forward," he said.

"We haven't established a possible motive but we do know it wasn't a random shooting.

"We believe there is a connection between the occupants of the house and who is responsible."

He said five shots had been confirmed but conceded there may have been more fired from rifle.

Anyone with any information about those responsible for the attack or who may have seen a car in the vicinity of Gilbert Cr between 8pm and 10pm Monday to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.